Beauty Category
Babe, You Know You’re Growing Up So Fast
So something kind of major happened this weekend. I turned 30. And I’m really, totally fine with it. While I know it’s a hard age for many people, I’m very happy with ‘what I’ve accomplished’ in life so far, so I didn’t have any kind of freak out. Then there’s also the fact that I have a very weird association with age now–once you marry someone a decade older than you, A) Your age always sounds young (I mean, 30 is nothing compared to 40, right?), and B) You always feel older than you are. I almost can’t believe I’ve been in my 20s all this time!
Even so, one of my favorite things to hear someone say is, “You look too young to be a mom!” Of course, it’s only my NYC and LA colleagues that ever say that, because in Georgia, there’s no such thing as being too young to be a mom, since teenagers get married and plan pregnancies (Can I get an amen?). But I take great pride in my youthful looking skin, because I’ve worked to have it!
After my obsessive tanning days (you can read about those here), I developed wrinkles and some extremely crepey-looking skin around my eyes. This picture from NYE 2008 (with the gorg Tova!) is the perfect example. And yes, I understand that expression lines aren’t wrinkles, but I had some major premature aging for a 25-year-old! Click on the picture for an even closer look.
This picture was actually a huge eye-opener for me about my appearance. I realized just how much damage I had done to my skin by tanning, and I decided to get really serious about fixing it.
So on my 25th birthday, I made a commitment to myself to apply eye cream every night before I went to bed. Now, I’ve missed a handful of nights since then, but literally only a handful. For all intents and purposes, I’ve applied eye cream every night for five years. In more recent years (I’d say the last two), I’ve also used an eye cream during the day. And I’m pleased to announce that I haven’t just prevented any further damage to the area around my eyes; I’ve actually reversed damage! The skin under and beside my eyes looks healthier and smoother at 30 than it did at 25.
And while I could certainly tell you some eye creams that I think are more effective than others, this isn’t about some ‘miracle’ product. In five years time, I’ve used a wide variety of drugstore/mid-range/expensive eye creams. The key here has been diligence. By continually treating my suffering eye area (and stopping the unhealthy behavior of tanning), I have actually undone damage to my skin.
The moral of the story? It may not happen overnight, but if you’re committed to taking care of your skin, it really is possible to look better in five years than you do today! The proof is in my not-as-deep/noticeable crow’s feet!
♥
Peace, Love and Beauty Commitments,
Emily
Beauty Giveaway: Crest 3D White Whitestrips Intensive Professional Effects
In what feels like another life, I was a dental assistant. I saw some really gruesome stuff, and it made me extremely aware of people’s teeth. So if you’re wondering if I’m looking at your teeth, I am!
During my time working for dear Dr. K., I cannot tell you how many times I heard him tell patients that Crest Whitestrips were just as good as the whitening system that we sold at the office (he was good about saving people money like that). You can’t argue with a professional!
That is why I’m super excited about this giveaway: One lucky Emily Suggests reader will win a box of Crest 3D White Whitestrips Intensive Professional Effects! These babies use the same ingredients that dentists use and offer professional-level results in just one use. And, they’re meant to be used as an intense, quick treatment of two hours daily for seven days–that’s a whole new smile in only one week!
So, whether you have a big occasion coming up, or you just want a whiter smile, here’s your chance to win a whole new you (yes, a white smile really is that transformative!)!
To enter, just leave a comment below, and one lucky reader will be seeing these in their mailbox soon.
The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, May 1 at 5pm EST, and will be notified via email. Please note: Only U.S. residents are eligible to win.
This giveaway is closed–thanks to all who entered! The winner has been notified.
♥
Peace, Love and Pearly Whites,
Emily
I am a Crest brand ambassador and am compensated for my time – however, as usual, all my opinions and recommendations are my own.
As Seen on TV: Under-the-Radar Eco-Friendly Brands
It’s been a great Earth Week, folks! Did you do anything to make the world a little cleaner and make your impact a little smaller? When it comes to beauty, I can help! Check out these yummy ‘good enough to eat’ products, and I also introduced some fabulous under-the-radar eco-friendly beauty brands to Better Mornings Atlanta viewers yesterday–and you can check it out here!
Watch the fun here, and check out all the details on the products and what I wore, after the jump.
Tangerine Fields and Marmalade Skies
Earth Day is Monday, so in honor of the occasion, I put together a few of my favorite organic/made with real fruit and veggies/good-enough-to-eat beauty products! While you probably shouldn’t actually consume any of these products, I can tell you two things. 1) You’ll want to. 2) If you do, it won’t kill you, because these babies are natural, non-toxic, chemical-free delights!
1) HollyBeth Organics Grits & Honey Scrub
HollyBeth Anderson makes her yummy products in a fab Atlanta studio, and I’ve seen her in action in her kitchen. It literally looks like she’s baking something (measuring cups, mixing bowl, yummy smelling ingredients) until the very end when she pours the finished product into a jar instead of onto a plate.
2) Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick in Saucy
This lipstick is not only the perfect coral for spring, it’s also moisturizing and long-wearing, oh yeah, and it’s also made with 70% organic ingredients like beeswax, jojoba seed oil and rose buds, and the other 30% is natural mineral pigments and vitamins!
3) Lather Cranberry Orange Moisturizer
A great body lotion for after you shave or after being out in the aun, this has aloe, chamomile and lavender to calm skin, while cucumber regulates moisture levels and orange and tangerine oils smell delish and make your skin super soft.
4) Nourish Exfoliating Body Polish
I’m the queen of exfoliating, and you can’t forget your body! This USDA-certified organic polish gets your skin smooth with a blend of corn cob, rice and murumuru seeds and nourishes with coconut, sunflower, and sesame seed oils.
5) 100% Pure Carrot Facial Scrub
This scrub not only has antioxidant-rich carrot seed oil in it, but also cucumber juice to calm, tomato powder to fight the signs of aging and avocado butter to make your skin smooth. Um, yum?
6) The Body Deli Blueberry Fusion Micro-Scrub
How would you like professional micro-derm results with natural ingredients? Look no further. To make this scrub, organic blueberries and acai berries (hello, antioxidants!) are blended up to polish away all the bad stuff and feed your skin.
Hungry yet? I know I am!
♥
Peace, Love and Healthy Skin Food,
Emily
As Seen on TV: Trendy Skincare Ingredients
I regularly get details on a skincare company using a new ‘miracle’ ingredient in their latest product, but when company after company starts singing the praises of a certain ingredient, then it’s time to take notice. And then, when the research comes through and there are proven results, an official trend is made.
So I headed over to Better Mornings Atlanta this morning to talk with my sweet friend Jocelyn (Follow her on Twitter!: @CBSAtlConnell) about a few of the ingredients that are trending in skincare right now.
Check it out and get all the deets on what I wore and the products, after the jump.
Tonight, I’m Cleaning Out My Closet
There has been a lot of talk in the media lately about various parents who have used public shaming as a means of discipline, and whether it is a valid form of punishment and if it damages a child/teen’s psyche. Well, this is not a discussion about that. It is, however, me publicly shaming myself in the hopes that I’ll never repeat some truly shocking behavior.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a first class, Type A, OCD, clean freak, and that I am a beauty journalist. I’ve been one way longer than I’ve been the other. Therefore, it only goes against everything about me to have messy, unorganized beauty storage. Yet, I did. I can’t explain it, but somehow I had let the drawer where I keep my hair paraphernalia (tools/accessories, not products) become a total mess. We’re talking rusty bobby pins, stretched out ponytail holders, barrettes that I’ve had since childhood (ok, it was only one, but still!) and oh the hair, hair, hair that was floating around in that drawer (gag).
As you can see by the before/after shot above, it isn’t even that big of a drawer, which meant it wasn’t even that huge of a project. And, to answer the question on everyone’s mind, yes, I do think I have enough ponytail elastics!
Does your beauty storage need a little Spring Clean-out? I’m definitely inspired to take my little project further into my beauty closet–and of course, I’m hoping this self-induced shaming will keep me from letting my drawer get funky again!
♥
Peace, Love and Getting Organized,
Emily
It’s Spring, Spring, Spring
New trends are exciting, but just like anything in life–too much of a good thing….so sometimes, being inundated with new trend after new trend leaves you underwhelmed. But, when I was first introduced to Deborah Lippmann’s new-to-shelves-this-week Staccato Collection way back in December, I was immediately obsessed. In the past year, new nail innovations have been a dime a dozen–feathers! sand! leather! velvet!–and while I’m not going to act too cool for school like I don’t think all of those are pretty fabulous, something about this really caught my eye–the matte glitter effect is innovative and just plain cool! The juxtaposition of the pastel colors (classic spring!) with the black glitter (rock n’ roll!) is the perfect combo of hard and soft and is the perfect mani option for someone who wants to nod to the season, without looking too sweet.
This flecked look–very different from traditional glitter polishes–is created by suspending the matte glitter in a noticeable thicker lacquer, making the polish itself the main show, and the glitter just an accent.
And I’m predicting this flecked, matte, black glitter trend is going to be huge in the coming months. Illamasqua already has their Speckled Nail Varnish collection, which makes your nails look just like a spring egg, and several more brands will be rolling out their versions in the next few months.
So jump on board the train now, and be a part of the trend-set group. You can thank me later.
♥
Peace, Love and Trendy Manis,
Emily
As Seen on TV: What’s In, What’s Out for Spring
Just like fashion trends come and go, so do beauty trends, and there are some super fun ones hitting the scene for Spring 2013! I went and talked about the latest trends on Better Mornings last week, and got to wear something really outside my typical fashion box.
I’m not usually a big button-up blouse girl, because I have broad shoulders and end up looking like a line-backer–I seriously haven’t worn a button-up since I was a senior in high school–but, when I saw this Top of the List Blouse from mark., I was sold. I loved the color, the shape and just how easy it looks to wear–and it turns out, it is as easy as it looks! I had a moment of panic right when I first put the blouse on, but once I had my whole ensemble put together, I was thrilled-it was really fun to rock a look so different from my normal attire! I also accented the blouse (which I threw on with basic black pants) with mark.’s Dramatic Effect Bracelet (also pictured above) and a pair of simple gold hoops.
Check out all the fun and get all the details on the products after the jump!
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Divert Your Eyes: The Travesty of the ‘Spring Breakers’ Red Carpet
The movie Spring Breakers, starring James Franco with cornrows and a grill, and Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson as very badly behaved college coeds has been like Jessica Simpson’s first pregnancy–an insane amount of build-up for something that might not actually ever happen. I swear this movie has been hyped for years!
Well, the movie is finally hitting theaters today, but don’t expect to see me there. Why? Because the red carpet premieres and photo calls have been a parade of some of the most horrific ‘fashions’ I have ever seen–it’s been borderline offensive (which I’m sure the movie will be, too)! While these actresses have looked quite beautiful and fashion-forward at events in the past, it’s almost like they made a pact to try to out-fiasco each other throughout the entire media tour.
I can just hear the conversation now:
Selena: Hey, Vanessa, you know how we’re both trying desperately to separate ourselves from our squeaky-clean Disney images?
Vanessa: Yeah, Selena, that’s the entire reason why we filmed this movie that has zero redeeming qualities–we wanted to parade around in our bikinis and smoke and have sex on camera, so people could see that we’re big girls now.
Selena: Well, let’s take it a step further and try to look as trashy and old as possible at all the movie premieres!
Vanessa: You had me at trashy!
Ashley: I’ll see your trashy and old and raise you a side of trainwreck!
All three: You’re on!
First up was Paris, which was all about the boobs:
Selena took the sideboob, Ashley took the middle boob and Vanessa took the overly pushed-up boob, while Rachel Korine (I have no idea who she is, either) was fortunate enough to just kind of put hers out there in a normal way. And don’t get me started on Vanessa’s rosette-covered Rafael Cennamo gown, Selena’s super harsh makeup, or Rachel’s weird helmet hair.
From there, I’m only going to mention the most offending parties from each premiere, because honestly, none of us has time to talk about the vast amount of trainwreckery each night.
In Berlin, it’s a tie between Selena and Vanessa:
I know what you’re thinking–it’s not so bad, right? Well, upon closer inspection, you’ll see it really is. These girls need a stylist to badly!!
Vanessa looks all well in good until you get a close up:
The bold eyes and lip, the huge, matchy-matchy earrings, the long, black talon fingernails, the huge ring–oh, and her Louboutins have spikes on them. Overload!! Her stunning Naeem Khan dress is enough of a statement on its own.
And this is what the back of Selena’s pantsuit looks like–yes, the back makes it a Dynasty/figure skating hybrid. What is that nude fabric?
At first glance, everything seems peachy at the Madrid photo call, right? I mean other than the fact that Rachel looks eerily like Marilyn Manson. VH’s white Katharine Kidd ensemble is actually cute!
But upon closer inspection of Ashley, once again, we’re on total overload here:
The peplum! The interesting neckline! The one sleeve! The leather and the velvet! The see-through portion at the bottom! The diamond-shaped faux hem that looks like a napkin!
In LA, it was the unknown Ms. Korine that really stood out from the crowd. Wait, are you a twenty-something going to your movie premiere, or a forty-something going on a first date in a dress from Walmart? In her (and the dress’s) defense, from other angles, this dress is actually pretty cool, but if it ain’t good dead on, then it ain’t good!
Finally, in Toronto, they all looked gorgeous! Oh, wait, no, Selena’s dress looks like she glued a bunch of tissue paper to her crotch and butt.
I seriously wish I liked her Marchesa gown–it was stunning on the runway, but once again, Selena could use a stylist, because it just doesn’t translate well on her petite body. It kind of looks like a mythical sea creature is eating her from the knees, up.
In all fairness, there were some really good moments throughout the incessant red carpet madness of this movie. The Venice premiere was a real highlight. Selena looked gorgeous at the LA premiere.
But ultimately, these girls just look like a bunch of kids playing dress-up. And this, ladies and gentlemen (Do any guys actually read my blog? Seriously, if you’re a dude, leave me a comment and let me know!) is why stars hire stylists. All four of these girls had a good 20 opportunities to make a great fashion statement, and they bombed at least 90% of them.
With a little luck, this parade of atrocities won’t haunt them for years. I don’t think I’ll be so lucky.
♥
Peace, Love and Bad Fashion Choices,
Emily
Say My Name, Say My Name
The whole beauty industry is much more than just the stuff that’s in the bottle (or tube, or jar). Sure, results are important, but so is packaging and marketing–the bells and whistles that get us to pick up, fall in love with, and purchase the product!
And anyone who’s spent any time beauty product shopping knows that the names of some of the products are just about as much fun as the product themselves. Nail polishes are known for their clever names (How much fun would it be to name nail polish? OPI? butter London? Call me!), but clever puns, wordplay and innuendo-filled names in the beauty industry aren’t exclusive to polishes.
Here, a few of my favorite clever beauty product names:
1. Lush All That Jas bath bomb
Gotta love a play on words and a Broadway ref!
2. Too Faced La Crème in Spice Spice Baby
Vanilla Ice!
3. OPI nail lacquer in Oy-Another Polish Joke
So much going on here–it’s a jab at all the nail polish names out there, plus, it’s the Euro Centrale collection, so it’s got the whole Poland/everyone makes Polish jokes things going, too! GOLDMINE!
4. butter LONDON Horse Power Nail Fertilizer
Calling a nail growth product ‘fertilizer’ is just the greatest thing ever in my book!
5. Benefit Cosmetics fakeup hydrating crease-control concealer
Let’s call makeup what it is, shall we?
6. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Mildew
Gross, but accurate color description!
7. TheBalm The Balm Girls Lipstick in Amanda Kissmylips
This is my new Bond Girl name. Not that I had an old Bond girl name, but now, if I ever need one, Amanda Kissmylips is totally going to be my Bond Girl name.
What’s your favorite beauty product name? Leave me a comment, and let me know!
♥
Peace, Love and Having Fun with Beauty,
Emily